Media release – New South Wales

775 Census Collectors hit the streets of the Hunter

29 July 2011 | NSW/62

775 Census Collectors will hit the streets of the Hunter today to deliver Census forms to each and every household in the region and ensure every person is accurately counted on Census night, Tuesday, 9 August.

Vanessa Bromhead from Newcastle has joined the Census team as a Collector this year, following in her Nanna's footsteps.

"Nanna has been a Census Collector many times and always talks about how enjoyable it was meeting people and giving back to the community.

"Nana, who is 84 years old now, even jumped onto Facebook to tell me when Census Collector applications opened!," Vanessa says.

“My Census patch will be Wallsend, Fletcher, Maryland and Minmi."

Vanessa, who is an English teacher at St, Phillip's Christian College, is working hard to ensure that everyone in her area has the support they need to fill out their Census form.

"In my area there is a retirement village, a motel and a nursing home which require special attention. My job is to provide help and assistance to every one including the elderly, those with sight and literacy problems.

"To some it can be a daunting task. My role is to inform people of the important part they play in filling out their Census form."

Vanessa is passionate about the importance of getting an accurate local Census count.

"Newcastle has been reinventing itself over the past decade. The Census will capture this change so that decision makers can plan for the future needs of our community," Vanessa adds.

More information is available online at www.abs.gov.au/census or by calling the Census Inquiry Service on 1300 338 776